Scientific Subcommittee
The Scientific Subcommittee is made up of independent scientists who review the best scientific information available on
a species that may be at risk in Alberta and assess what the biological status of that species is in the province. The subcommittee
sends its assessment and related recommendations to the Endangered Species Conservation Committee.
The Scientific Subcommittee has adopted the species evaluation method used by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This method is the same as that used by COSEWIC at the national level, and using it ensures that
- Alberta’s assessments can be compared with those done nationally
- the credibility of the scientific assessments is enhanced by having an internationally accepted, open and transparent process
When evaluating a species (using the IUCN criteria/guidelines), the Scientific Subcommittee considers a range of information
about the species’ status in Alberta. Population size, changes in population size, and the size of the area in which the
species is found are very significant. Other population characteristics, such as fragmentation, isolation and status in
adjacent regions are also considered before the subcommittee recommends a status.
The present Scientific Subcommittee is composed of a small group of scientists with significant scientific expertise related to vertebrate animals, invertebrates and plants, as well as in the general fields of biology, botany, ecology, forestry, wildlife management and wildlife conservation.
Members of the Scientific Subcommittee (in alphabetical order)
-
Dr. Peter Achuff, Scientist Emeritus, Parks Canada Agency, Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Park, Alberta
-
Dr. René J. Belland (Subcommittee Chair), Director of Research, Devonian Botanic Garden, Edmonton, Alberta
-
Dr. Darren Bender, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
-
Dr. Greg Pohl, Insect/Disease Identification Officer, Canadian Forest Service, Edmonton, Alberta
-
William D. Wishart, Retired Director of Research, Fish and Wildlife Management Division, Alberta Environment;
now Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, and Research Associate, Provincial Museum
of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Page Navigation
Skip to breadcrumb trail
Page Information
Updated: Jan 17, 2012